Heaven

The Christian’s Inheritance

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If a Christian said to me that the Christian’s inheritance was eternal life in heaven, I would not argue with his statement. But, to my mind, eternal life in heaven is actually a side benefit of the Christian’s inheritance.

The natural inheritance of all human beings is explained briefly and succinctly in the counsel given to ministers: “Tell the people in clear, hopeful language how they may escape the heritage of shame which is our deserved portion.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 182

If you look up the word heritage in the dictionary, you will see that it is something inherited, a birthright. The dictionary definition of the word shame is a strong negative emotion caused by guilt or a painful sense of guilt and unworthiness.

So, our natural inheritance is guilt. This is our deserved portion, and therefore, our natural destination is everlasting death. When Adam sinned, there was only one Person in the universe who could save the human race from everlasting death. Salvation involves an exchange. Jesus, the second person of the Godhead, came to this world and took our inheritance of guilt, shame, and death upon Himself. He took our place and bore our punishment, while offering to us His place, His inheritance.

What was Jesus’ inheritance when He came to this world? He did not have a human father, so He did not inherit from Adam what we inherited from him. God was His Father. Jesus, even as a man, inherited from His Father perfect everlasting righteousness, and this inheritance He offers to you and me. If we have the faith of Abraham, we will inherit, by adoption, the inheritance of Christ, and will no longer be children of the devil (see Ephesians 2:3, 1 John 3:8). Having been born again, we become the children of the Most High and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to an everlasting kingdom. If Adam had not sinned, he would have given to us—his posterity—an inheritance of purity and perfection. “If faithful to God’s requirements, he [Adam] would have had perfect descendants, as pure and uncorrupted as he himself was when he came from the hand of God. … But by his disobedience he spoiled God’s plan for himself and for his posterity.” The Review and Herald, December 15, 1896

The only way that we can receive purity and righteousness is through the second Adam, Jesus Christ.

Question – Where is Heaven?

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Question:

Where is Heaven?

Answer:

Heaven. The home of God. Does heaven have an address? Do we have directions with which to find it? If we could stand just outside Earth’s atmosphere and gaze across the wide expanse of space—at least all that the human eye could see—could we discern it, perhaps just there, left of Jupiter about a zillion miles?

Mrs. White writes regarding a vision during which she heard the voice of God coming from the open space in Orion (Maranatha, 279). So is that where heaven is?

Inspiration tells us precisely where heaven should be found, and it’s not somewhere out there.

“To save the transgressor of God’s law, Christ, the One equal with the Father, came to live heaven before men, that they might learn to know what it is to have heaven in the heart. He illustrated what man must be to be worthy of the precious boon of the life that measures with the life of God.

“The life of Christ was a life charged with a divine message of the love of God, and He longed intensely to impart this love to others in rich measure. Compassion beamed from His countenance, and His conduct was characterized by grace, humility, truth, and love. Every member of His church militant must manifest the same qualities, if he would join the church triumphant. The love of Christ is so broad, so full of glory, that in comparison to it, everything that men esteem as great, dwindles into insignificance. When we obtain a view of it, we exclaim, O the depth of the riches of the love that God bestowed upon men in the gift of His only begotten Son!” Christian Education, 76

Our focus now should not be outward, but inward. One day soon, Jesus will come and He will take His children home to heaven. Until that glorious morning, we must receive the transformation of character that results in living each day in such a way that heaven can be found in us.

[Emphasis supplied.]

The Heavenly Citizen

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Heaven is a real place. Heaven is a good place. The Bible says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man [into your imagination] the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9. Heaven is an indescribable place.

Heaven will be a school. We are going to graduate from the school of Christ down here and then go on to a higher school in which the Lord Himself will be our teacher. The central location of this future school is the New Jerusalem.

Revelation 21 tells us heaven is a place where there is no more death or suffering or pain, no more sorrow or crying. There all tears will be wiped away. There will be no more funerals, and we will never again have to visit a hospital. We are told in Isaiah 60:21 that in heaven everyone will be righteous, and will inherit the land forever. Revelation 21:3 tells us that God Himself will be with us and will live with us. Revelation 22:4 says we will see His face. Revelation 22:1, 2 tell us that there is a river of water in this city called the river of life. On this river there is a tree of life with two trunks—one on each side of the river—coming together at the top as one tree, and it bears fruit every month.

First Corinthians 13 says that we will know as we are known and that we will again see the people we knew who died in Christ. God has a wonderful reunion planned for His children in heaven.

In heaven we will once again live the Eden life, the life in garden and field. “They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.” Isaiah 65:21. Heaven is a place where we will build homes and plant vineyards.

Paul says that in heaven God will do for us exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think, and forever God’s gifts will be given to His children. What we are in character and holy service here and now is a sure foreshadowing of what we shall be in heaven.

Speaking to the Christians of the Philippian church, Paul says, “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20. As a baptized member of the body of Christ, your name is written down in the book of life. You are a citizen of heaven and heaven is your future home.

Heaven has a very large population, the great majority of which are angels. Angels all have very important jobs. Most of them, as guardian angels, look after each and every person in the world. It doesn’t matter how much trouble and trial Satan and his host of evil angels may bring into our lives, our guardian angels are always there to protect and help. God will even dispatch an army of angels if that is what is needed to help us at any time. “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7.

Since the day we were born, our guardian angels have been by our sides and they will remain there even after death. Mrs. White tells us that our guardian angel will mark our resting places and protect them until Jesus comes. What loving care God has for His children! “No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:10–12

Angels are not the only citizens of heaven actually in heaven today. Enoch, Elijah, Moses and those who were resurrected when Jesus rose from the grave (Mathew 27:52, 53) are all in heaven right now. And, of course, God is there (Ecclesiastes 5:2) and Jesus, too. Remember what Jesus told His troubled disciples before He left, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions [permanent dwellings]; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1–3. That has been the Christian’s hope ever since Jesus left. Jesus is coming back and when He does, He will take all of His children to heaven where they will live with Him.

Paul was talking about this in Hebrews 12:22, 24, first part, when he said, “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, … to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant.” If you have been baptized, your citizenship is in heaven right now, and if you are saved, then one day you will become a physical inhabitant of heaven.

Let’s look at the characteristics of the heavenly citizen:

  1. As heavenly citizens, we will associate every day with angels, so it is important that we be like them in character. “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.” Psalm 103:20. Angels obey God’s word. They listen to what God says and they do what He says to do. So if we are to be fellow citizens with angels, we will obey God’s word and do whatever He says to do. In heaven, God’s will is always done. Since the expulsion of Satan and his angels, not one angel in heaven ever says, “I don’t think I want to do what the Lord wants me to do today.” So if we are to be citizens of heaven and live with the angels, we, too, must have a character that will always do God’s will.

Many scriptures in the Bible—James 1:22–25, Romans 15:18, Romans 1:5, 1 Peter 1:13–15, Isaiah 1:19 are a few—tell us that we must have this kind of character as we are living here today, if we expect to be ready to live in heaven. People all over the world question what God says. It all started in the Garden of Eden and has continued for 6,000 years. But in heaven, no one questions what God says. The only ones who ever did were cast out.

  1. If we want to be fellow citizens with the angels of God in heaven, we must make a public confession of Jesus Christ and become His disciples in this world. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32, 33. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38. “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8, 9. We cannot keep our love for God and obedience to His law a secret. We cannot keep from the world what He has done for us and is waiting to do for them. We accomplish this, in part, by being baptized. Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

But there is more. In The Desire of Ages, 357, Ellen White lists 13 ways in which people deny Jesus Christ in their lives. This number is significant because 13 is the number of rebellion in the Bible. Reading this will be like a punch in the stomach because we will realize just how many times we have actually denied Christ without even knowing it. All 13 of these actions must be overcome and removed from our lives. We must confess all 13 and be forgiven if we have any expectation of being in the kingdom of heaven.

“He who would confess Christ must have Christ abiding in him. He cannot communicate that which he has not received. The disciples might speak fluently on doctrines, they might repeat the words of Christ Himself; but unless they possessed Christlike meekness and love, they were not confessing Him. A spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ would deny Him, whatever the profession. Men may deny Christ by evilspeaking, by foolish talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny Him by shunning life’s burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them. And ‘whosoever shall deny Me before men,’ He says, ‘him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.’ ”

My dear friends, I’ve never read that paragraph but that I say, “Lord, help me. I want to be transformed in character so that Christ can confess me before the angels of heaven so that I can be taken to be a fellow citizen of the angels.”

  1. We must be holy if we are to be citizens of heaven. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.” Matthew 25:31. “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ ” 1Peter 1:13–16. Paul says in Hebrews 12:14, “Pursue … holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” We must become holy for God has chosen us “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” Ephesians 1:4

Holiness involves body, mind, and spirit, your soul, everything. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul says, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” “God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7. Quoting Leviticus, 1 Peter 1:16 says, “Be holy, for I am holy.” But how can anyone as wretched as we human beings are, become holy?

God allows trials and troubles to come to His children and in this way, they become partakers of His holiness. “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:4–11.

Most people feel that the process of being made holy is too hard. They’d rather just be taken to heaven the way they are and changed when they get there. But God wants us to be in heaven and He knows the only way we can be is if we become partakers of His holiness. Only in this way will we ever be able to understand what holiness really is. Our troubles will differ from person to person, but the Lord is there to provide the help necessary to become overcomers.

A holy person will always be in harmony with and obedient to God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 7:12 that God’s law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. If the law is holy and we are holy people, then we will be in harmony with the law.

  1. If we are going to be a citizen of heaven, we must have the Enoch experience. “No unpleasant words are spoken in heaven. There no unkind thoughts are cherished; envy, evil surmising, hatred, and strife find no place there. Perfect harmony pervades the heavenly courts.

“Well does Satan know what heaven is, and what the influence of the angels is. His work is to bring into every family the cruel elements of self-will, harshness, selfishness. Thus he seeks to destroy the happiness of the family. He knows that the spirit governing in the home will be brought into the church.” The Upward Look, 163. Not one unpleasant word, throughout all eternity, will be spoken in heaven. To be ready to live forever in a place where nothing unpleasant is spoken, do you think we should be preparing how we speak now in our homes, at work, in church? The here and now is our practice ground where we learn either how to go to heaven or how to go to hell. How we act, what we say, how we think when no one is watching will tell the whole universe what our real character is like.

  1. In heaven everyone seeks the happiness of those around them. “In heaven none will think of self, nor seek their own pleasure; but all, from pure, genuine love, will seek the happiness of the heavenly beings around them. If we wish to enjoy heavenly society in the earth made new, we must be governed by heavenly principles here.” Counsels for the Church, 80

“Everything in heaven is noble and elevated. All seek the interest and happiness of others. No one devotes himself to looking out and caring for self. It is the chief joy of all holy beings to witness the joy and happiness of those around them.” Heaven, 143

“Angels are ever engaged in working for the happiness of others. This is their joy. That which selfish hearts would regard as humiliating service, ministering to those who are wretched and in every way inferior in character and rank, is the work of sinless angels. The spirit of Christ’s self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven and is the very essence of its bliss. This is the spirit that Christ’s followers will possess.” Steps to Christ, 77

The spirit of self-sacrificing love—the spirit of Jesus—will be the essence of heaven. It was this spirit of self-sacrifice that led Jesus to say, “I cannot stay here. I cannot enjoy myself as the Majesty of heaven, as Ruler of the universe while My children are lost.” So He laid it all down and left it behind to become a man so that He could show us how to live, and then He sacrificed His life so that the penalty for sin was paid and we would have a way to become citizens of heaven.

We must study the life of Christ daily if we are to learn how to obtain this self-sacrificing spirit. And make no mistake, we must learn it and possess it if we are to share the home of the redeemed.

  1. In heaven everyone will keep the Sabbath. “ ‘It shall come to pass that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23.

Every citizen of heaven will come together on God’s Sabbath day and worship Him who made heaven and earth, and who gave His life for us. As Seventh-day Adventists, every single part of our worship service is derived from Bible study so that we can know what God expects when we gather to worship Him. We sing as part of our worship service because the angels sing praises to God in heaven. If we are seeking to be citizens of heaven we, too, must be singing praises from the heart to our God. We must come with thanksgiving when we worship for all the things He has done for us and given to us—the very roof over our head, the food on the table, our job, our family. When was the last time you really took the time to thank Him for everything He has done?

Here on earth, we ask the Holy Spirit to come and speak to us, to lead and guide us in the way we must go if we are to be citizens of heaven. We say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:9), and if our hearts have been made holy, if we have the character of angels, if we have removed from our lives anything, everything, that would keep us from confessing Christ, then the Holy Spirit will speak to us.

But think of it, once we are in heaven, we will be able to hear for ourselves, directly from God Himself, what He has to say to us. We will be able to sit at the feet of Jesus and ask Him to tell us again the story of our redemption. The redeemed will never come to a worship service without being blessed. God loves to bless His people, and He wants to make us fellow citizens with the angels. He is trying to get us ready.

Here in this world when something good happens a man might say, “I’m in heaven.” This is a descriptive response to a delightful or blissful feeling that comes to him, but does not indicate that he has gone to a physical place.

In fact, once Satan, sinners, and sin have all been wiped away in this world and God has established His kingdom once and for all time on the purified new earth, earth will become heaven because heaven is where God is. It is a place where all is new and fresh, with an atmosphere that is glorious and perfect, where all the citizens of heaven, angel and saint alike, will raise their voices in eternal praise and thanksgiving to God. And the best thing we can know is that we can have heaven here, because we can have Jesus in our hearts while we look forward to living forever in this heavenly place with Him.

[Emphasis supplied.]

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Keys to the Storehouse – Don’t Just Feel Ready, Be Ready!

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How many have started the week with, “Man, I can’t wait until Friday.” And as each day of the week passes, you become more passionate in the declaration that Friday can’t come soon enough, “I am sooo ready for this week to be over.”

What does it mean to be ready? What about the week’s activities, events or experiences has made you ready?

In American English, ready is used as either an adjective or verb.

An example of the word used as an adjective shows that something is all set, in a fit state. Used as a verb it indicates the action of becoming prepared or equipped.

Things may have been tough this week, some bad things happened or you were just overwhelmed and that has made you feel like you are ready for the week to be over. But when we think of spiritual readiness, just because we feel ready, are we ready?

Hebrew 13:21 tells us, “[May the God of peace] … make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.”

And “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

You won’t be ready if you don’t get ready. “Suppose that today Christ should appear in the clouds of heaven, who … would be ready to meet Him? Suppose we should be translated into the kingdom of heaven just as we are. Would we be prepared to unite with the saints of God, to live in harmony with the royal family, the children of the heavenly King? What preparation have you made for the judgment? Have you made your peace with God? Are you laboring together with God? Are you seeking to help those around you, those in your home, those in your neighborhood, those with whom you come in contact that are not keeping the commandments of God? … Are we getting ready to meet the King? …

“If it were possible for us to be admitted into heaven as we are, how many of us would be able to look upon God? How many of us have on the wedding-garment? How many of us are without spot or wrinkle or any such thing? How many of us are worthy to receive the crown of life? … Position does not make the man. It is Christ formed within that makes a man worthy of receiving the crown of life, that fadeth not away. …

“Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye must have a greater preparation than ye now have. … Sacrifice all to God. Lay all upon His altar—self, property, and all, a living sacrifice. It will take all to enter glory.” Maranatha, 98.

Lord, give us the desire to get ready. Help us to seek to be a people without spot or wrinkle, worthy of the crown of life.

This World Is Not My Home

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As long as there are people in this world willing to do evil, there will be chaos, deceit, hate, anger, sorrow, death, oppression, destruction, cruelty in all forms. And without the power of the Holy Spirit working continuously in our lives, we could be one of those people at any time.

We see so many things happening in the world today:

  • Disease, selfishness, political unrest, gradual eroding of constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms, including freedom of religion and speech.
  • Dissatisfaction, inequality, oppression, depression and abuse abound with so many voices straining to be heard, but not one ear on this earth to hear.
  • The careless disregard of life of any kind, to the point that life is little more than an inconvenience.
  • People reaching a breaking point, engaging in and displaying dangerous and destructive behavior toward themselves and others.

For a description of these people, let’s look at Romans 6:16: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey … ?” They believe they are free, but in reality, they are held tightly in bondage to their master.

“Satan often finds a powerful agency for evil in the power which one human mind is capable of exerting on another human mind. This influence is so seductive that the person who is being molded by it is often unconscious of its power. God has bidden me speak warning against this evil, that His servants may not come under the deceptive power of Satan. The enemy is a master worker, and if God’s people are not constantly led by the Spirit of God, they will be snared and taken. For thousands of years Satan has been experimenting upon the properties of the human mind, and he has learned to know it well. By his subtle workings in these last days, he is linking the human mind with his own, imbuing it with his thoughts; and he is doing this work in so deceptive a manner that those who accept his guidance know not that they are being led by him at his will. The great deceiver hopes so to confuse the minds of men and women, that none but his voice will be heard.” Our High Calling, 110.

Doesn’t this sound frighteningly familiar? So many voices declaring this is the truth, no this is a lie, this is the way it happened, this is the person you should listen to, these are the facts. On and on until they make true the words found in Romans 1:22, 25, “Professing to be wise, they became fools … who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” And as a result God will give them up to live their lives as they choose. Oh, the baleful results as described in verses 26–32. Shouts demanding acceptance of and tolerance for the great many sins that have filled this world reverberate everywhere you turn. But this shouting will one day be turned against the people of God who cannot be faithful to Him and accept or tolerate sin. However, we are instructed: “Although we should hate the sin, we should love the souls of those for whom Christ died. And then we should feel most grateful to God that we have One who is pleading in the heavens above in our behalf.

“Jesus knows the worth of every soul because it is He who paid the price for everyone. When He was in His agony at the crucifixion, He prayed there for His enemies and He said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34).” Christ Triumphant, 75.

There is a conspiracy afoot in this world, one 6,000 years in the making. It’s a successful one, too, in part because it is the natural outworking of what troubles this world, but also because the main protagonist is so accomplished at it and his followers so willing to do what he dictates. They think they are strong and in control, but are in fact, held so tightly in the grip of their master, that they do not realize what they are doing. They believe they are making a difference, but oh, what kind of difference!

Let’s look at the master to whom these individuals, and possibly even ourselves, have bound themselves. “I was shown Satan … the expression of his countenance is full of anxiety, care, unhappiness, malice, hate, mischief, deceit, and every evil [everything we see in the world today]. … I saw that he had so long bent himself to evil that every good quality was debased, and every evil trait was developed.” The Story of Redemption, 45.

Is it any wonder the people of the world who serve Satan, some in ignorance, exhibit these same traits?

Friends, we must remember that this world is not our home. We are only sojourners here, passing through this place to a better home. It is easy to become entangled in the troubles and efforts of the world, but we must always remember that the problems of the world are a result of sin and there is only one remedy for sin, Jesus Christ. We must keep our eyes upon Him if we wish to see Him one day as a loving Father and not an avenging Judge.

Mrs. White says of those who choose to know the truth and follow God, “When we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall have no relish for sin; for Christ will be working with us. We may make mistakes, but we will hate the sin that caused the suffering of the Son of God.” The Faith I Live By, 118.

“The gospel of Christ is to be wrought into our everyday experience. The mind must be in a state to appreciate the divine claims of the gospel. It must be girded about, and disciplined to habits of self-control and obedience. …

“The teachings of the living oracles cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Satan has great power over the soul, to drag it down to a low level. Those who really want to learn of Christ will have to empty the soul of all its proud imaginings, that there may be room to enthrone Him there.

“The controversy between Christ and Satan is not yet ended. The latter is constantly seeking to establish his own power and authority. If he can entangle minds, he will do it. … The deceptions of Satan are manifold, but the Lord will be our helper if we seek Him earnestly.” Our High Calling, 110.

Our responsibility now is to allow the Holy Spirit to develop the character necessary to be worthy of a place with Jesus for eternity and to share the gift of salvation with everyone we can. There was a time when people at least knew about God and the sacrifice Jesus made to save them. But these days it seems that there are so few who have any concept of spiritual things in general, let alone what Jesus did for them on Calvary and what is truly available to them. There is a world to warn.

All my life I’ve heard that Jesus is coming soon and for just as long I had thought it probably would not happen in my lifetime. Look how many people have believed this same thing and they are long gone. Mrs. White talked about how bad things were during her lifetime, that surely Jesus must be coming soon. But friends, He is coming now. I can hardly believe that He will wait much longer. He is waiting for the message of salvation to be given to all the world so that everyone has a chance to choose to be His child. How will they know, if we don’t tell them?

Our efforts while on this earth are to show those held captive in Satan’s thrall that there is a God in heaven and that He loves them. By our words we can tell them, by our lives we must show them. “… many of the world … will see Christ revealed in your daily life. You will be a living epistle, known and read of all men.” Lift Him Up, 213. Satan seeks only to destroy, but Christ offers life abundantly (John 10:10).

“His heart of divine love and sympathy is drawn out most of all for the one who is the most hopelessly entangled in the snares of the enemy. With His own blood He has signed the emancipation papers of the race.

“Jesus does not desire those who have been purchased at such a cost to become the sport of the enemy’s temptations. He does not desire us to be overcome and perish. He who curbed the lions in their den and walked with His faithful witnesses amid the fiery flames is just as ready to work in our behalf, to subdue every evil in our nature. … He turns no weeping, contrite one away.” My Life Today, 317.

It is true that one day, not far off, those voices demanding acceptance and tolerance will be turned against God’s people shouting intolerance because they will not bear to hear the truth. But until then, we are encouraged by God’s loving voice saying, “Do not be conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

 “As I realize how much has been done for us to keep us right, I am led to exclaim, Oh, what love, what wondrous love, hath the Son of God for us poor sinners! Should we be stupid and careless while everything is being done for our salvation that can be done? All heaven is interested for us. We should be alive and awake to honor, glorify, and adore the high and lofty One. Our hearts should flow out in love and gratitude to Him who has been so full of love and compassion to us. With our lives we should honor Him, and with pure and holy conversation show that we are born from above, that this world is not our home, but that we are pilgrims and strangers here, traveling to a better country.” Early Writings, 113.

How are we to let our hearts flow out in love and gratitude to Him and how do we honor Him with our lives? “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Some will listen, some will not. Of these, verse 16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

“If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost. As you receive the Spirit of Christ—the Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others—you will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character. Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and lovely.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 67, 68.

“We need to contemplate Christ and become assimilated to His image through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. This is our only safeguard against being entangled in Satan’s delusive snares.” The General Conference Bulletin, April 23, 1901.

“We must keep separate from the world, if we would have the love of God abide with us. As soon as we begin to be conformed to this world, just so soon God’s Spirit begins to depart from us. But if we keep humble, live holy, harmless and separate from sinners, we shall see of the salvation of God. Let us strive to be Christians (Christ-like) in every sense of the word, and let our dress, conversation and actions preach that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, and that we are looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus. Let us show to those around us, that this world is not our home, that we are pilgrims and strangers here. …

“Let those who break God’s law and teach others to do so, denounce us as fallen from grace because we keep all ten of His immutable precepts, it will not harm us. We have the satisfaction of knowing, that while they curse, Jesus has pronounced a blessing. Says the true Witness, the only Begotten of the Father, ‘Blessed are they that do His [the Father’s] commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the City’ (Revelation 22:14).

“Think ye that the commandment-keepers will be sorry, and mourn when the pearly gates of the Golden City of God are swung back upon their glittering hinges, and they are welcomed in? No, never. They will then rejoice, that they are not under the bondage of the law, but that they have kept God’s law, and therefore are free from it. They will have right to the tree of life, a right to its healing leaves. They will hear the lovely voice of Jesus, richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, saying, There will be no more sorrow, pain or death; sighing and crying have fled away.” The Review and Herald, June 10, 1852.

“Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.

“It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69.

“Our eyes shall then, with rapture,

The Saviour’s face behold,

Our feet, no more diverted,

Shall walk the streets of gold;

Our ears shall hear with transport

The hosts celestial sing,

Our tongues shall chant the glory

Of our Immortal King.”

Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, June 10, 1852

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Judy Rebarchek is a member of the LandMarks team. She can be contacted at: judyrebarchek@stepstolife.org

Keys – Quality or Quantity – Heaven or the World

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Jeremy and Justin were two sweet boys, that I loved dearly. I was close friends with their aunt and was able to spend a lot of time with them.

Jeremy was close to five years old and he loved cars, so one Christmas I bought him a remote-control monster truck. Justin was still just a little boy and I thought he would enjoy something fun so got him two $2 plastic water pistols.

I don’t know who had greater anticipation come Christmas morning, Jeremy or me. He tore open his gift and was overjoyed to find the monster truck. In the meantime, Justin had opened his gift and was happily playing with each of the water pistols.

All was well until Jeremy realized that he had one gift, but Justin had two. Jeremey couldn’t understand the value of his one gift. He cried and cried and would not be consoled, while Justin blissfully and almost obliviously enjoyed his plastic water pistols.

The next day, the truck was returned to the store and exchanged for two water pistols just like his brother’s. Jeremy and Justin played happily together with those inexpensive plastic water pistols.

Years later, I wonder about the spiritual concept of quality vs. quantity – heavenly vs. earthly.

I thought Jeremy would have been completely happy with that monster truck, but it was only one and his brother had two things. The devil loves to surround us with things, and lots of them. Things that are loud and fast, bright and pleasing, but they don’t last. You see, like those two plastic water pistols and all the fun that Jeremy and Justin had playing with them, it wasn’t long before they were broken and useless. Neither of them understood the value of the rejected gift. The devil’s temptation is always to want more.

Jesus offers us one thing – salvation. That one gift involves many other things – love, peace, forgiveness, mercy, grace, power and ultimately heaven. Just one thing, but oh, the quality of it.

We can choose to be mesmerized by the quantity of things the devil offers and blissfully, almost obliviously, live day to day blinded to the lack of quality in these things. Or, we can choose the one gift, the gift that is ours simply for the taking; the greatest gift that heaven could give.

The devil’s way is easier, luring the unsuspecting with its hollow glitter and charm, while the path to heaven sometimes just seems too hard. However, the rewards are everlasting.

“All heaven appreciates the struggles of those who are fighting for the crown of everlasting life, that they may be partakers with Christ in the city of God. … God wants you there, Christ wants you there, the heavenly host wants you there.” Our High Calling, 368.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. … The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; He shall preserve thy soul” (Psalm 121:1, 2, 7).

“The pure, heavenly graces are received and flourish in mind, heart, and character only as man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. … Heaven must begin on earth for every soul who will enter the heavenly mansions above.” Our High Calling, 368.

“Every provision has been made that we may attain a height of stature in Christ Jesus that will meet the divine standard.” The Review and Herald, December 16, 1884.

Dear Lord, there is nothing this world can offer of greater value or quality than what You have done for us and are preparing for those who love You. Help us to always look to You and not the world. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Exciting Times

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As I read the Ascension story of Jesus to heaven and all the beings awaiting His arrival, my heart just sang for joy and I prayed that I may be accounted worthy to see the heavenly country and all its peoples.

When John the Revelator was given a vision of heaven, Revelation 4:2–6 says that God the Father was there along with 24 elders and 4 beasts and many angels in Revelation 5:11. Perhaps this was the scene that awaited our Saviour when He ascended to heaven.

“There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son, the representatives of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought to establish his dominion—all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.” The Desire of Ages, 832.

What a welcoming party for Jesus! “But He waves them back. … He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. …

“The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. … The Father’s arms encircle His Son, and the word is given, ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him’ (Hebrews 1:6).” Ibid.

The celebration began! “With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of life.

The angel host prostrate themselves before Him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing’ (Revelation 5:12).

Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is found.

Heaven rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming, ‘Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever’ (Revelation 5:13).” Ibid.

I want to show that kind of love and honor also to the One who risked all to save mankind. We have the opportunity to meet all of these beings! Are you preparing for that day? We cannot afford to miss it!

Heavenly Father: Prepare our hearts at this moment and every moment up to the time of that wonderful second coming of Jesus to this earth. We want to join that heavenly ascension, to be welcomed into the heavenly country. What a day that will be. We thank You for the wonderful opportunity You have spread out before us. Please keep us faithful for that day. Amen.

The Reconciliation of Man to God

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A Miracle of Miracles

It is a rare person who at one time or another doesn’t have need of reconciliation with someone whom they have offended. Opportunities for reconciliation are one of the means that Providence uses to develop character.

The Oxford dictionary defines to “reconcile” as to “restore friendly relations between.” A secondary definition reads to “cause to coexist in harmony; make or show to be compatible.” Strong’s Concordance is more direct: “Atonement; restoration to divine favor.”

Nothing is more in need of reconciliation, of “restoration to divine favor,” than the relationship between man and God after the Fall in the Garden of Eden. God has been working tirelessly for six thousand years to restore man to divine favor and bring about the reconciliation that must occur between God and the pinnacle of His creation before Christ returns to gather His saints. The big question is, Are we cooperating with that effort?

In one sense, reconciliation is simply another term for atonement. If we are reconciled to God, our character is once again aligned with the divine purpose of the plan of redemption—restoring the image of God in man.

Achieving that reconciliation, that atonement, requires exactly what Jesus told Nicodemus he needed during their nocturnal conversation recorded in John 3:3: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

No other Bible writer wrote more about this need than Paul. In his second epistle to the Corinthians, he wrote in great detail regarding the need for reconciliation and about how God is working to fulfill that need: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing [attributing, assigning] their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:17–21).

What an incredible statement! How clearly this passage shows the love of God for man. We are moved to cry out, “Abba, Father!” as we realize the intense longing that reigns in our Heavenly Father’s heart for the reconciliation of mankind to Himself.

In commenting on this text, Inspiration records, “ ‘If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new’ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Through the power of Christ, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have become transformed into the image of God. This change is in itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures, it is ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27).” The Acts of the Apostles, 476.

Note the harmony between reconciliation, atonement, and the new birth experience. They are bound together by one divine purpose: the restoration of the image of God in man. Still another term for this miracle of miracles is “redemption.”

“The work of redemption involves consequences of which it is difficult for man to have any conception. ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him’ (1 Corinthians 2:9). As the sinner, drawn by the power of Christ, approaches the uplifted cross, and prostrates himself before it, there is a new creation. A new heart is given him. He becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus. Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require. God Himself is ‘the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus’ (Romans 3:26). And ‘whom He justified, them He also glorified’ (Romans 8:30). Great as is the shame and degradation through sin, even greater will be the honor and exaltation through redeeming love. To human beings striving for conformity to the divine image there is imparted an outlay of heaven’s treasure, an excellency of power, that will place them higher than even the angels who have never fallen.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 162, 163.

Man, in and of himself, is completely incapable of achieving this reconciliation, this rebirth, without divine power.

“Nothing but divine power can regenerate the human heart and imbue souls with the love of Christ, which will ever manifest itself with love for those for whom He died. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. When a man is converted to God, a new moral taste is supplied, a new motive power is given, and he loves the things that God loves; for his life is bound up by the golden chain of the immutable promises to the life of Jesus. Love, joy, peace, and inexpressible gratitude will pervade the soul, and the language of him who is blessed will be, ‘Thy gentleness hath made me great’ (Psalm 18:35).” Selected Messages, Book 1, 336.

We can add yet another term to this miraculous process of reconciliation: conversion.

“Conversion is a work that most do not appreciate. It is not a small matter to transform an earthly, sin-loving mind and bring it to understand the unspeakable love of Christ, the charms of His grace, and the excellency of God, so that the soul shall be imbued with divine love and captivated with the heavenly mysteries. When he understands these things, his former life appears disgusting and hateful. He hates sin, and, breaking his heart before God, he embraces Christ as the life and joy of the soul. He renounces his former pleasures. He has a new mind, new affections, new interest, new will; his sorrows, and desires, and love are all new. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, which have heretofore been preferred before Christ, are now turned from, and Christ is the charm of his life, the crown of his rejoicing. Heaven, which once possessed no charms, is now viewed in its riches and glory; and he contemplates it as his future home, where he shall see, love, and praise the One who hath redeemed him by His precious blood.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 294.

A bit of meditation on this passage will reveal the incredible “broadness” and all-encompassing nature of the reconciliation process. It becomes plainly evident that reconciliation, conversion, atonement, redemption, and the new birth experience are one and the same. Man can succeed in this process only through cooperation with the divine agencies that God in His mercy has tasked with guiding man along the path of truth and righteousness.

God uses ways to achieve the new birth experience in each individual that we often do not recognize until after the fact—if at all. There are angelic hosts who intercede on our behalf in unseen ways; God moves upon those with whom we interact, often unbeknownst to them, to speak words of encouragement and edification at exactly the right time; the Holy Spirit speaks to us in that still small voice. How many times have we suddenly experienced an epiphany, a “a sudden intuitive leap of understanding,” when reading a familiar Scripture or a well-known passage in the spirit of Prophecy!

Often when we examine our lives and the daily activities—the thoughts, words, and deeds that make up a day’s activities, we become lost in despair of ever being able to meet the high standard that God’s law demands. That is not an unusual perplexity. It is at times like this that we must remember the Cross of Christ.

“Christ suffered in order that through faith in Him our sins might be pardoned. He became man’s substitute and surety, Himself taking the punishment, though all undeserving, that we who deserved it might be free, and return to our allegiance to God through the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. He is our only hope of salvation. Through His sacrifice we who are now on probation are prisoners of hope. We are to reveal to the universe, to the world fallen and to worlds unfallen, that there is forgiveness with God, that through the love of God we may be reconciled to God. Man repents, becomes contrite in heart, believes in Christ as His atoning sacrifice, and realizes that God is reconciled to him. …

“The reconciliation of God to man, and man to God, is sure when certain conditions are met.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 369.

“Through Jesus, God’s mercy was manifested to men; but mercy does not set aside justice. The law reveals the attributes of God’s character, and not a jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet man in his fallen condition. God did not change His law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man’s redemption. ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself’ (2 Corinthians 5:19).” The Desire of Ages, 762.

What does the manifestation and subsequent sacrifice of God in Christ mean to fallen, degraded mankind?

“God was to be manifest in Christ, ‘reconciling the world unto Himself’ (2 Corinthians 5:19). Man had become so degraded by sin that it was impossible for him, in himself, to come into harmony with Him whose nature is purity and goodness. But Christ, after having redeemed man from the condemnation of the law, could impart divine power to unite with human effort. Thus by repentance toward God and faith in Christ the fallen children of Adam might once more become ‘sons of God’ (1 John 3:2).” Patriarchs and Prophets, 64.

By meditation on the incredible and incomprehensible miracle of the Word made flesh, the mysterious blending of the human with the divine, we can begin to appreciate the holiness of God’s character as revealed through His Law and how the plan of redemption enables us to meet the standard that the Law enjoins.

“Says the apostle: ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself’ (2 Corinthians 5:19). Only as we contemplate the great plan of redemption can we have a just appreciation of the character of God. The work of creation was a manifestation of His love; but the gift of God to save the guilty and ruined race alone reveals the infinite depths of divine tenderness and compassion. ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16).” Testimonies, vol. 5, 739. [Emphasis author’s.]

The worshipers in the church at Corinth were not the only ones to whom Paul explained the need of reconciliation. The converts in Ephesus were also given the benefit of Paul’s experience in the third heaven. His epistle to the Ephesians explained that through a common belief in Christ, there is reconciliation between Jew and Gentile, the “middle wall of separation” being “broken down,” so that “He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross.”

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity” (Ephesians 2:11–16).

That same dissolution of enmity between disparate mindsets is necessary today if the unity that Christ desires in His people is to be accomplished.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul addresses another aspect of reconciliation. Not only is mankind in need of reconciliation with God, but Paul explained that creation itself lost the perfection that it possessed in the connection it enjoyed with the divine when the world was new. Christ’s sacrifice not only enables mankind to be reconciled to God, but it also provides a means of restoring nature to its original brilliant reflection of the holiness of God.

“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister” (Colossians 1:19–23).

As we contemplate this aspect of the plan of redemption, we can only be amazed at the unfathomable love that God through Christ revealed—not only to humankind, but to the universe. What an incomprehensible value this epitome of selflessness places on man.

“Jesus did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do, and exclaimed with His departing breath: ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). Satan was then defeated. He knew that his kingdom was lost. Angels rejoiced as the words were uttered: ‘It is finished.’ The great plan of redemption, which was dependent on the death of Christ, had been thus far carried out. And there was joy in heaven that the sons of Adam could, through a life of obedience, be finally exalted to the throne of God. Oh, what love! What amazing love! that brought the Son of God to earth to be made sin for us, that we might be reconciled to God, and elevated to a life with Him in His mansions in glory. Oh, what is man, that such a price should be paid for his redemption!” Testimonies, vol. 2, 211, 212.

Again we cry, “Abba, Father!”

John R. Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.

A Little Heaven…What Home should be…

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“A Little Heaven to Go to Heaven In”

“Society is composed of families and is what the heads of families make it. Out of the heart are ‘the issues of life’; and the heart of the community, of the church, and of the nation is the household. The well-being of society, the success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend upon home influences.” The Adventist Home, 15

The members of the home, through their speech and interactions with each other, will prove to be a blessing or a curse. Thus, much is at stake in the home. Now, more than ever, Satan is attempting to sabotage this critical establishment of society that God Himself instituted in Eden. The goal of any home should be to provide “a little heaven to go to heaven in.” The Review and Herald, April 21, 1891.

“The family on earth should be a type of the family in heaven. The home that is beautified by love, sympathy, and tenderness is a place that angels love to visit, and where God is glorified. The influence of a carefully guarded Christian home in the years of childhood and youth is the surest safeguard against the corruptions of the world. In the atmosphere of such a home, the children will learn to love both their earthly parents and their heavenly Father.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, 206.

“The home in which the members are polite, courteous Christians exerts a far-reaching influence for good. Other families will mark the results attained by such a home, and will follow the example set, in their turn guarding the home against Satanic influences. The angels of God will often visit the home in which the will of God bears sway. Under the power of divine grace such a home becomes a place of refreshing to worn, weary pilgrims. By watchful guarding, self is kept from asserting itself. Correct habits are formed. There is a careful recognition of the rights of others. The faith that works by love and purifies the soul stands at the helm, presiding over the whole household. Under the hallowed influence of such a home, the principle of brotherhood laid down in the word of God is more widely recognized and obeyed.” The Adventist Home, 31.

The devil does not want you to have such a home. He is determined to destroy the happiness in your home. One of the principal ways he does this is by influencing the members of the family, including the husband and the wife, to speak in an unsanctified way to each other. Here is an inspired description of this transgression. Notice that Satan’s ultimate goal is to destroy the church by destroying the family.

 “Well does Satan know what heaven is, and what the influence of the angels is. His work is to bring into every family the cruel elements of self-will, harshness, selfishness. Thus he seeks to destroy the happiness of the family. He knows that the spirit governing in the home will be brought into the church.” The Upward Look, 163.

Another method Satan uses to attempt to destroy the happiness of the home is by leading the husband into a misunderstanding between what it means to be the head of the house and what it means to be God. God has absolute authority. When God told Abraham to kill his son, Abraham was under moral obligation to obey. But no human being, whether husband or wife or employer or ruler, has absolute authority. All human authority is to be subservient to God’s authority and under the rule of His government. The following statements clarify this subject that is widely misunderstood.

“If the husband is tyrannical, exacting, critical of the actions of his wife, he cannot hold her respect and affection, and the marriage relation will become odious to her. She will not love her husband, because he does not try to make himself loveable. The Lord Jesus has not been correctly represented in His relation to the church by many husbands in their relation to their wives, for they do not keep the way of the Lord. They declare that their wives must be subject to them in everything.

“But it was not the design of God that the husband should have control, as head of the house, when he himself does not submit to Christ. He must be under the rule of Christ that he may represent the relation of Christ to the church. If he is a coarse, rough, boisterous, egotistical, harsh, and overbearing man, let him never utter the word that the husband is the head of the wife, and that she must submit to him in everything; for he is not the Lord; he is not the husband in the true significance of the term.

“If the wife should have the same mold of character as her husband, woe be to the children; the whole family would be a blot upon the earth. Instead of being a house-band, to bind the family together into the unity that is symbolized by the unity of Christ and the church, he will break every tie of affection, and the members of the family will be scattered, filled with bitterness and hatred one toward another.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, 215, 216.

Not only does the husband bear a critical responsibility to represent the character of Christ in his family relationships, every member of the family is to bear a degree of responsibility as well.

“Unless we control our words and temper, we are slaves to Satan. We are in subjection to him. He leads us captive. All jangling and unpleasant, impatient, fretful words are an offering presented to his Satanic majesty. And it is a costly offering, more costly than any sacrifice we can make for God, for it destroys the peace and happiness of whole families, destroys health, and is eventually the cause of forfeiting an eternal life of happiness.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 310.

We need to remember always that the words that we speak will be one of the major factors that determines our eternal destiny.

If our speech is to be reformed and changed, it must happen in this world before the coming of the Lord. This cannot be done in an instant and is why Ellen White told some people that they did not have a moment to lose. She cautioned that if they did not live long enough so that their speech could be reformed, they would be excluded from heaven. This idea is very unpopular today. Most people, including probably the vast majority of clergymen, believe and teach in effect that you can live like the devil without overcoming your character defects, but if the moment before you die you say, “Lord save me,” you will be saved. Wherever this idea originated it is not in the Bible and it is not true. The story of the thief on the cross does not substantiate this theory—see the description of that person who was saved at the 11th hour in The Desire of Ages, pages 749–751.

Notice how clearly the Spirit of Prophecy warns against the error of delay in self-reformation.

“Few have that genuine faith which works by love and purifies the soul. But all who are accounted worthy of everlasting life must obtain a moral fitness for the same. ‘Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure’ (1 John 3:2, 3). This is the work before you, and you have none too much time if you engage in the work with all your soul.

“You must experience a death to self, and must live unto God. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God’ (Colossians, 3:1). Self is not to be consulted. Pride, self-love, selfishness, avarice, covetousness, love of the world, hatred, suspicion, jealousy, evil surmisings, must all be subdued and sacrificed forever. When Christ shall appear, it will not be to correct these evils and then give a moral fitness for His coming. This preparation must all be made before He comes. It should be a subject of thought, of study, and earnest inquiry, What shall we do to be saved? What shall be our conduct that we may show ourselves approved unto God?

“When tempted to murmur, censure, and indulge in fretfulness, wounding those around you, and in so doing wounding your own soul, oh! let the deep, earnest, anxious inquiry come from your soul, Shall I stand without fault before the throne of God? Only the faultless will be there. None will be translated to heaven while their hearts are filled with the rubbish of earth. Every defect in the moral character must first be remedied, every stain removed by the cleansing blood of Christ, and all the unlovely, unlovable traits of character overcome.

“How long a time are you designing to take to prepare to be introduced into the society of heavenly angels in glory? In the state which you and your family are in at present, all heaven would be marred should you be introduced therein. The work for you must be done here. This earth is the fitting-up place. You have not one moment to lose. All is harmony, peace, and love in heaven. No discord, no strife, no censuring, no unloving words, no clouded brows, no jars there; and no one will be introduced there who possesses any of these elements so destructive to peace and happiness. Study to be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold on everlasting life.

“Forever cease your murmurings in regard to this poor life, but let your soul’s burden be, how to secure the better life than this, a title to the mansions prepared for those who are true and faithful to the end. If you make a mistake here, everything is lost. If you devote your lifetime to securing earthly treasures, and lose the heavenly, you will find that you have made a terrible mistake. You cannot have both worlds. ‘What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul’ (Mark 8:36, 37)? Says the inspired Paul: ‘For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal’ (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18).” Testimonies, vol. 1, 705, 706.

In this world we are actually in an all or nothing warfare of which there is no escape. It is a war in which we either win everything or lose everything. Our speech in our families, to stress a point already made, will be one of the most decisive factors as to where our eternal destiny is going to be.

There is an excellent testimony written to “Brother M” in volume 2 of the Testimonies, pages 84–88, in which strong counsel is given that details many of the errors made within the family that prevent the home from becoming “a little heaven to go to heaven in.”

The concluding paragraph of this testimony provides food for thought that all who have a deep yearning for heaven—not just a heaven-like atmosphere in their homes, but an eternal abode—should give deep thought and make a matter of earnest prayer:

“If you lose heaven, you lose everything; if you gain heaven, you gain everything. Do not make a mistake in this matter, I implore you. Eternal interests are here involved. Be thorough. May the God of all grace so enlighten your understanding that you may discern eternal things, that by the light of truth your own errors, which are many, may be discovered to you just as they are, that you may make the necessary effort to put them away, and in the place of this evil, bitter fruit may bring forth fruit which is precious unto eternal life.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 88.

We may not carry all of the errors that Inspiration pointed out to Brother M in this testimony, but it is true for everyone that “if you lose heaven, you lose everything.” May God, in His providence, guide us as we seek to make our homes “a little heaven to go to heaven in.”

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Bible Study Guides – “War In Heaven”

by

April 1 – April 7, 2001 

Memory Verse “And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” Revelation 12:7, 8.

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 33–43; Great Controversy, 492– 500.

Introduction

“So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfil the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies. But a change came over this happy state. There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted to His creatures. Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Lucifer, ‘son of the morning,’ was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 35.

‘It Was Very Good’

  • How is God’s creation described? Genesis 1:31. (Compare Job 38: 4–7; Psalm 104:24; Isaiah 40:26.)

note: “The great Jehovah had laid the foundations of the earth; He had dressed the whole world in the garb of beauty and had filled it with things useful to man; He had created all the wonders of the land and of the sea. In six days the great work of creation had been accomplished. And God ‘rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.’ God looked with satisfaction upon the work of His hands. All was perfect, worthy of its divine Author, and He rested, not as one weary, but as well pleased with the fruits of His wisdom and goodness and the manifestations of His glory. After resting upon the seventh day, God sanctified it, or set it apart, as a day of rest for man. Following the example of the Creator, man was to rest upon this sacred day, that as he should look upon the heavens and the earth, he might reflect upon God’s great work of creation; and that as he should behold the evidences of God’s wisdom and goodness, his heart might be filled with love and reverence for his Maker.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 47.

  • How was the creation of the one we now know as Satan described? Ezekiel 28:15.

note: “Evil originated with Lucifer, who rebelled against the government of God. Before his fall he was a covering cherub, distinguished by his excellence. God made him good and beautiful, as near as possible like Himself. Of him it is written, ‘Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.’” Review and Herald, September 24, 1901.

“Till Iniquity Was Found In Thee”

  • What are we told about the trend of Lucifer’s thinking while he was in heaven? Isaiah 14:13, 14.

note: “Lucifer had said, ‘I will be like the Most High’ (Isaiah 14:12, 14); and the desire for self-exaltation had brought strife into the heavenly courts, and had banished a multitude of the hosts of God. Had Lucifer really desired to be like the Most High, he would never have deserted his appointed place in heaven; for the spirit of the Most High is manifested in unselfish ministry. Lucifer desired God’s power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same. Thus alienation, discord, and strife will be inevitable. Dominion becomes the prize of the strongest. The kingdom of Satan is a kingdom of force; every individual regards every other as an obstacle in the way of his own advancement, or a steppingstone on which he himself may climb to a higher place.” Desire of Ages, 435.

  • What effect did Lucifer’s brightness have upon him? Ezekiel 28:17.

note: “Lucifer might have remained in favor with God, beloved and honored by all the angelic host, exercising his noble powers to bless others and to glorify his Maker. But, says the prophet, ‘Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.’ Verse 17. Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge a desire for self-exaltation.…Pride in his own glory nourished the desire for supremacy. The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as the gift of God and called forth no gratitude to the Creator. He gloried in his brightness and exaltation, and aspired to be equal with God. He was beloved and reverenced by the heavenly host. Angels delighted to execute his commands, and he was clothed with wisdom and glory above them all.” Great Controversy, 494–495.

“And His Tail Drew The Third Part of the Stars of Heaven”

  • What result did Lucifer’s desire for self-exaltation have on the other heavenly beings? Revelation 12:7.

note: “Lucifer went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels. Working with mysterious secrecy, and for a time concealing his real purpose under an appearance of reverence for God, he endeavored to excite dissatisfaction concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings, intimating that they imposed an unnecessary restraint. Since their natures were holy, he urged that the angels should obey the dictates of their own will. He sought to create sympathy for himself by representing that God had dealt unjustly with him in bestowing supreme honor upon Christ. He claimed that in aspiring to greater power and honor he was not aiming at self-exaltation, but was seeking to secure liberty for all the inhabitants of heaven, that by this means they might attain to a higher state of existence.” Great Controversy, 495.

  • What was the outcome of the war that resulted? Revelation 12:8.

note: “Satan grew bold in his rebellion, and expressed his contempt of the Creator’s law. This Satan could not bear. He claimed that angels needed no law; but should be left free to follow their own will, which would ever guide them right; that law was a restriction of their liberty, and that to abolish law was one great object of his standing as he did. The condition of the angels he thought needed improvement. Not so the mind of God, who had made laws and exalted them equal to Himself. The happiness of the angelic host consisted in their perfect obedience to law. Each had his special work assigned him; and until Satan rebelled, there had been perfect order and harmonious action in Heaven. Then there was war in Heaven. The Son of God, the Prince of Heaven, and His loyal angels, engaged in conflict with the arch rebel and those who united with him. The Son of God and true, loyal angels prevailed; and Satan and his sympathizers were expelled from Heaven. All the heavenly host acknowledged and adored the God of justice. Not a taint of rebellion was left in Heaven. All was again peaceful and harmonious as before.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 22.

“He Was Cast Out Into The Earth”

  • When Satan and those who followed him were defeated, to where did God banish him? Revelation 12:9. (Compare Isaiah 14:12.)

note: “Even when he was cast out of heaven. Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since only the service of love can be acceptable to God, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of the worlds, being unprepared to comprehend the nature or consequences of sin, could not then have seen the justice of God in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted out of existence, some would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, he must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be forever placed beyond all question. Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its terrible results. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 42, 43.

  • Where and in what guise did Satan next appear? Genesis 3:1. (Compare Revelation 12:9.)

note: “Satanic agencies are clothing false theories in an attractive garb, even as Satan in the Garden of Eden concealed his identity from our first parents by speaking through the serpent. These agencies are instilling into human minds that which in reality is deadly error. The hypnotic influence of Satan will rest upon those who turn from the plain word of God to pleasing fables. It is those who have had the most light that Satan most assiduously seeks to ensnare. He knows that if he can deceive them, they will, under his control, clothe sin with garments of righteousness, and lead many astray.” Maranatha, 59.

“He Is A Liar”

  • What title did Jesus give to Satan? John 8:44.

note: “After his defection in heaven, the Lord declares of Satan that he abode not in the truth. After his sin, he became a rebel, an avowed antagonist of God, and for the purpose of working out his rebellion, he established an infernal empire, and unfurled the standard of rebellion, rallying around him the powers of evil. Satan worked upon such principles as would conform those who sympathized with him to his own corrupt standard, and would assimilate them with his own Satanic nature. It was his determined purpose to efface from man the image of God, and stamp upon the souls of his subjects his own image and superscription. He employed in his work the most deceptive methods, and was successful in leading men to co-operate with him in rebellion against God. Christ gives to him the title of ‘the father of lies,’ ‘the accuser of the brethren,’ ‘a murderer from the beginning.’ By his bewitching power he instilled into man the same spirit of opposition and hatred of God as he himself had, and set up his throne as the rallying point for the confederacy of wickedness.” Signs of the Times, June 13, 1895.

  • What two lies formed the basis of his temptation of Eve? Genesis 3:4, 5.

note: “Here the father of lies made his assertion in direct contradiction to the expressed word of God. Satan assured Eve that she was created immortal, and that there was no possibility of her dying. He told her that God knew that if she and her husband should eat of the tree of knowledge, their understanding would be enlightened, expanded, and ennobled, making them equal with Himself.” Confrontation, 13. “Satan, who is the father of lies, deceived Adam…telling him that he need not obey God, that he would not die if he transgressed the law. But Adam fell, and by his sin he opened the floodgates of woe upon our world.” Evangelism, 598.

  • What are we told will be the fate of liars? Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15. (Compare 1 John 4:20; 1 John 2:4.)

note: “Falsehood and deception of every cast is sin against the God of truth and verity. The word of God is plain upon these points. Ye shall not ‘deal falsely, neither lie one to another.’ ‘All liars shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.’ God is a God of sincerity and truth. The word of God is a book of truth. Jesus is a faithful and true witness. The church is the witness and ground of the truth. All the precepts of the Most High are true and righteous altogether. How, then, must prevarication and any exaggeration or deception appear in His sight?” Testimonies, vol. 4, 336.

“Never Shalt Thou Be Any More”

  • How are we shown that Satan’s fall from heaven did not change his hatred against God? Revelation 12:13.

note: “This great change of position had not increased his love for God, nor for His wise and just law. When Satan became fully convinced that there was no possibility of his being reinstated in the favor of God, he manifested his malice with increased hatred and fiery vehemence.” The Story of Redemption, 27.

  • When the great controversy is ended, what has God promised will be the fate of Satan? Ezekiel 28:19.

note: “The sins of the righteous having been transferred to Satan, he is made to suffer not only for his own rebellion, but for all the sins which he has caused God’s people to commit. His punishment is to be far greater than that of those whom he has deceived. After all have perished who fell by his deceptions, he is still to live and suffer on. In the cleansing flames the wicked are at last destroyed, root and branch—Satan the root, his followers the branches. The full penalty of the law has been visited; the demands of justice have been met; and heaven and earth, beholding, declare the righteousness of Jehovah. Satan’s work of ruin is forever ended.” Great Controversy, 673.